Illan Meslier was one of Europe’s best young goalkeepers – his Leeds career had to end

As the final embers of Illan Meslier’s contract die away at Leeds United, it’s impossible not to think back to when he signed those terms, five years ago. It feels like an eternity.Leeds had finished ninth in their first season back in the Premier League. Marcelo Bielsa was head coach. Only four goalkeepers kept more top-flight clean sheets than Meslier’s 11 .At 21, it felt like Leeds were securing the long-term future of one of Europe’s best young goalkeepers. A five-year contract was a boon to supporters. Everything felt possible at Elland Road.Contrast that optimism with February this year. Little had, understandably, been made by the club of Meslier’s first appearance in 11 months.He was turning out for the club’s under-21s in a Premier League 2 fixture at Manchester City. The first anyone, who was not at the game, knew of his involvement was the highlights reel circulating on social media post-match.In this environment and level, away from the punishing glare of first-team football, Meslier might have hoped to be a difference-maker for Leeds. At 25, he was the elder statesman of the team and a senior pro with 215 United appearances to his name.And yet, in the goals went, three without reply for City. Meslier was meekly beaten at his near post for the first, left clambering across his goal line to reach a back-post tap-in for the second and then nutmegged as he came out to meet the striker for the third.Sadly, it did not suggest to anyone he should be recalled to pressure Lucas Perri or Karl Darlow in the first team. It was another example of how far Meslier has fallen and how a fresh start elsewhere is everything he needs.Illan Meslier was in inspired form against (Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)In those two top-flight seasons, after the ninth-place finish under Bielsa, Meslier was bombarded and saw his confidence shot to pieces. In 2021-22, the year Leeds survived relegation on the final day at Brentford, he shipped 79 goals in 38 games. The next highest tally for any one goalkeeper was Tim Krul on 62.